Date: Saturday 13th
December 2025
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Well,
after our shock demolition of Barcelona (3-0, if you need reminding) and
snatching a draw with Arsenal, it seems we’ve returned to normal service – not
winning football matches. A 3-1 defeat to those unlovable rogues at Leeds, a
snooze-fest stalemate with Bournemouth, and a midweek masterclass in
self-sabotage against Atalanta (2-1 – let’s all pretend we didn’t see it) have
put us firmly back in our comfort zone.
Maresca’s
selection policy remains so mysterious that Mystic Meg would struggle to
predict our starting XI. In fact, the team sheet looks suspiciously like it’s
been picked by whoever rocks up to the pub the least worse for wear, and
judging by the performances, most of them are still feeling the previous
night’s adventures.
Yet,
by some footballing miracle, we’re still lurking in fifth place as we welcome
Everton to Stamford Bridge. The Toffees are turning up today all full of beans,
having won four of their last five without even conceding a goal. Sure, we
haven’t lost to them at home in 30 league games (and yes, that’s the best home
run we’ve ever managed against anyone) – but if there’s ever a time to end a
record, isn’t it always when Chelsea are involved?
And
just to really twist the knife, don’t be surprised if Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
pops up to add a bit more misery to our already thoroughly battered egos. Up
the Chels!
MANAGER’S VIEWS
Going
into today’s game, Enzo Maresca, says “For us, November was fantastic.
December, we didn’t start in the way we would like. Even if it’s just one week
ago, eight days ago, we played Leeds. So it is just three games in a row in one
week that we didn’t get results that we expect. But now focus on the next one. It’s
important [against Everton]. All the games are important. If we are able to
beat Everton, it is much better for us.”
Everton
manager, David Moyes, meanwhile, says “You know, I don’t know everything
about Chelsea, but they look as if they’re in there going in the right
direction.
I think we
go there in a good place, we go there in good spirits. We have a feeling we’ll
give it a good go and see how it goes. But we’ve also got to remember we’re up
against a side who have spent a side who I don’t even know how much they’ve
spent and have a good bundle of players.”
SQUAD NEWS
For Chelsea, Levi Colwill (knee), and Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo (both thigh) and Liam Delap (shoulder) remain out injured. Mykhaylo Mudryk is still suspended, whilst Moises Caicedo serves the final game of his ban. Wesley Fofana should be available despite his eye injury midweek.
For Everton, Seamus Coleman, Jarrad
Branthwaite (both hamstring) and Merlin Rohl (hernia) all remain out. Thierno
Barry (shoulder) should be available, and Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam are
both available to return after serving suspensions.
TEAMS
CHELSEA
(Possible line-up): Sanchez;
Gusto, Chalobah, Fofana, Cucurella; Santos, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer,
Garnacho; Pedro
EVERTON (Possible
line-up): Pickford;
O’Brien, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Garner, Gueye; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall,
Grealish; Barry
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 1-0 Everton (26th
April 2025)
CURRENT FORM (PL)
CHELSEA: WWWDLD
EVERTON: DWWLWW
OTHER STUFF
- Chelsea
are unbeaten in their last 30 Premier League home games against Everton
- Everton have failed to score in 27
different Premier League games against Chelsea
- Chelsea are without a win in their last
three Premier League games
- Everton have won four of their last five
Premier League games
- Chelsea have dropped more points from
winning positions in Premier League home games than any other side this season
(8)
PREDICTION
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-1 Everton
